Eris wrote:"Thanks!" Gunt says after biting down on each silver piece to make sure they are real, "Now remember, I'll pay you back after we steal...ur, I mean...retrieve some coin from Snorks or Orcs or some other evil creatures. Right!"

To be clear, Leudigar has but two silvers and he spent them on a waterskin and a bag of marbles. It wasn't enough to buy any additional food, in any case. Gunther does start out the journey with 7 days of standard food (not trail rations), so you might note that on his character sheet. Most of the people in the party are similarly outfitted with regular food for seven days, which means we won't be spending but three days maximum at the goblin fortress for this first venture.

Alfwin would smile and welcome Faengol, "Indeed there is room for many on this venture, and it is best that all the free people of the realm have a stake it. Times are tough as they say and together we shall all form a force they will remember in song. See to your supplies one and all"

Wetzel gathers up his pack & quiver, grabs his spear, then scuttles down from the branches of the tree, and clears his throat, timidly. He speaks quietly, but in an odd, raspy voice, as if he doesn't use it often.

"Gentle folk, if you'd be interested in another quick bow and strong spear to share the dangers of your trail, I'd be eager to join this troop."

"An Elf, eh?"Boggs sizes up the newcomer Faengol. "Some of the elves I've meet have been arrogant sons of bricks. But if you are willing to shed goblin-blood and slog through the cave-muck with the rest of us, then you're alright with me."

Spying Wetzel he says, "Whoa, Gunt, what do you think? Dwarf or Man? He has the appearance of a wandering creature like us, no stranger to meals of wild root and squirrel."

So it is that a company of twelve Men and allied sorts of indeterminate loyalties set themselves a fateful course; to strike out of their own accord with hopes to investigate (and sack!) the goblin-fastness before other like-minded or officially sanctioned groups can do the same.

They number six fighting-men and a tracker, a mouser, two brother-clerics, and two mediums among them; a dozen-strong all told. 'Tis a capable force; not so large as to tax Manfred's quartermasters, nor so small as to vanish inconsequentially into the Hinterlands.

With intentions made plain there seems little reason to delay further--and hardly a coin can be spared for additional accommodations in any event. Each hour postponed is an hour's opportunity gained by some other, bolder, company intent on reaching the prize first! It is thusly agreed the most profitable course is to set out immediately, and within the hour the company is on the move...